When used in this chapter:

(1)  “Associate home inspector” means a person who is employed by a licensed home inspector to conduct a home inspection of a residential building on behalf of a client for a fee under the direct supervision of the licensed home inspector and is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(2)  “Board” means the contractors’ registration and licensing board.

(3)  “Client” means any person who engages, or seeks to engage, the services of a home inspector for the purpose of obtaining an inspection of, and written report upon, the condition of a residential building.

(4)  “Home inspection” means an inspection and a written evaluation of the following readily visible and accessible components of a residential building: heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems, structural components, foundation, roof, masonry structure, exterior and interior components, and any other related residential housing components, unless the scope of the inspection is otherwise clearly limited, in writing, in the inspection report. Unless otherwise expressly agreed to, in writing, a home inspection shall be based solely on observation of the readily visible and apparent condition of the foregoing components of a residential building as they exist on the date of the inspection, and it is not the purpose of the inspection to identify violations of, or noncompliance with, governmental codes or regulation. A home inspection shall, at a minimum, conform to any standards of practice promulgated by the board.

(5)  “Home inspector” means any person licensed as a home inspector to conduct a home inspection of a residential building on behalf of a client for a fee pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(6)  “Public body” or “agency” means any executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, or administrative body of the state or any political subdivision thereof, including, but not limited to: public officials elected or appointed; any department, division, agency, commission, board, office, bureau, authority; any school, fire, or water district; or other agency or quasi-public agency of state or local government that exercises governmental functions.

(7)  “Residential building” means a structure consisting of one or more residences and their appurtenances.